Provisional HSE figures for the HPV vaccine this year show the numbers getting it have almost halved.
The vaccine is now part of the schools immunisation programme and it aims to reduce the risk of infection of this virus which is known to cause cervical and other cancers.
The controversial vaccine has come in for criticism due to concerns about symptoms and in the case of some very severe side-effects.
The HSE says since the vaccine was introduced the uptake has always been over 80% and in fact last year it was 87% – the highest ever since the start of the programme in 2010.
However, initial figures for this year show that the uptake has reduced dramatically.
Dr Anthony Breslin Specialist in Public Health Medicine for the HSE – North West says the vaccine saves lives and he is concerned at the figures:
